The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-17
KING C0TT0N'S PALACE.
A ROYAL RESIDENCE PREPARED
BY HIS VOTARIES.

The New Exchange and Its History
deliberately Decorated Quarters
The Place Wherein the Cotton Mer-
chants Most do Congregate-The
New Building Opened
The new and handsome Cotton Exchange
building was thrown open yesterday after
noon to members Of the Exchange, and from
4to O'Clock the building was filled with
members and their friends The beautiful
proportions of the edifice were greatly
admired while the handsome inside finish
ing received deserved commentator.
The Savannah Cotton Exchange was or
ganized in this city in 1872. 4 meeting
was held here June II, 1872, in the rooms of
the Chamber of Commerce, participated
in by Nessrs. Octavus Cohen, J. w.
Iathrop. John R. Wilder and other
merchants interested, and the organiza-
ton was. effected Aug. /, Judge W.
Schley. OF the Superior Court, granting
the Incorporation The Exchange grew
and prospered, and as years rolled by
the scheme of an exclusive building
was evolved, and many plans were brought
up and discussed Finally, in 1885, it was
decided to try and obtain the slip at the
foot of Drayton street 4 meeting Of the
Board Of Directors was held June 20, of that
year, at which were present H. NJ Conner,
then President, and Messrs. John L. Ham
mond. R. D. Bogart and J. L. Warren, then
Directors.
THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
The matter was discussed. and commit
tee consisting of Messrs. H. NJ Conner, John
Flannery and W W Gordon, was ap-
pointed and charged with the duty of apply
ing 10 the Legislature for the passage Of a
bill appropriating that slip Tor n building
site for the Exchange Capt Gordon was
member of the Legislature, and he presented
the bill which - passed 1t contained
provisions requir T.. the consent of the
Mayor and Counc 10 render it operative
Sept. "a special meetln. OF the directors
was held, and an ordinance drafted to
submit to Council. This was ac-
cepted by the Aldermen and passed
Nov. is, giving the city's consent to appro-
prlating the site for the building, with the
usual provisos and restrictions. Dec. Z the
directors decided 10 call meeting of the
members of the Exchange and submit TO
them the progress Of the work and ask for
further Instructions Dec. 10 meeting Of
the members was held and it was decided to
erect a building not 10 exceed $4,000 in
cost A committee consisting of Messrs. J.
B. Duckworth. John Flannery. R. D.
Bogart, E. VI. Green and J. VI. Barnard, Jr.,
was appointed to secure plans, estimates of
cost, etc.
SELECTING THE PLAN.
This committee reported To a meeting of
the Exchange, held February. 1885, that. it
had received sixteen plans from eleven com
pefitors Mr. H. NJ. Conner was then added
10 the committee and it was authorized to
go ahead on the building. II selected the
pan and Immediately began work. ANOTHER
meeting of the Exchange was held March
%, and Mr.. A. L. Hartridge was added to
the committee. which was then given full
power to make contracts and begin the erec-
ton of the building.
May q, 1886 the contracts were let, and
June the first foundSass wall was begun,
and now, tiIf1o over fifteen months from
that time, il is firished and occupied by the
Exchange. Tie blilding itself is a very
handsome, one wiz. a Z: attractive exterior.
Philadelphia pressed brick was the main
building material, and with a. good design
the result is very satisfactory.
HANDSOME INTERIOR
The building is built in the centre of a
slip leading to the river, and is raised thirty
five feet or so from the ground by iron pill
lars, so as to gire free access TO River street
The first, or Exchange floor proper, is on a
level with Bay street On entering the
broad arched doorway, the main room
Is seen in front, while a broad
stairway at the left leads to the upper floor
At the right is the Superintendent's ROOM
The main room is nearly square, being IS
by 80 feet, and with a 23foot ceiling Ou
each side Is huge fireplace with white oak
mantes stained to initiate antique oak All
the wood finishing is the same. The carving
is decidedly fine. At the river end are huge
windows of the finest French plate glass.
Above the door is a handsome design of
cathedral-rolled glass of various tnts with
the word cotton" formed in old English
letters
AMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS.
The transoms over the main doors are
fine specimens of artistic work and The light
falling through the colored glass throws
parti-colored streamers throughout the
room. On the floor underneath are ths
storerooms, lavatories, etc and one large
room besides. Over the Superintende ltis
room and hall is a Mezzenina story contain
ing one room which has balcony extending
over and into the main room. In the attic
are two large rooms which will be rented
for Offices. Altogether the building is a
very substantial aud handsome one. and the
interior finish and decorations are all in
exceeding good taste and style. The total
cost will be about $1,000
The present officers of the Exchange are:
President, John Flannery Vice President,
y. NJ. Green: Directors. j. B. Duckworth,
j. Karow, +. d. Bioolworth. S. Fatman,
j. +. Minis. c. A. Shearson, j. X. Garnett.
q. J. Baldwin and ID. /. Mcintyre; Superin-
tendent, + F. Bryan.
THROIJGg TEJEz CrrY